Scripture stated that a leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling to Jesus,
“If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”
Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him, Jesus sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word.
Jesus touched an untouchable, he was “moved with pity.” Some interpretations suggest that Jesus was also moved by anger—anger at a religious society and culture. He was just plain mad the Law says to exclude entire groups of human beings who are guilty of nothing…. than being different.
Now, the man’s only job was tell the priest. Don’t tell anyone else. Gosh, Jesus can publicize many other miracles anytime; that day he wanted to challenge the system that victimizes people.
But the leper is free, too excited to return to the religious authorities. Instead, he proclaims to many what Christ has done for him. You see, in those times anyone with leprosy was cast out from his family, community and friends. He wanted to get back and share his news and tell of Christ!
Jesus? He just overturned the order of things. AMEN! AND healed a man physically, spiritually, and showed His love for him. This, my friends, is the radically inclusive love of Christ. Again, He sets the example for us.
Have you ever felt like an outcast?
Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in?
OR have we casted out others, maybe not help the person resorting to begging for money or food. OR have we shunned people?
Our culture tends to stigmatize the “different” among us: those with disease, or the immigrant, ahh,come on! How about the very poor, those of a different color, the slow to learn, victims whose stories are not believed—those casted out…. by us. We are promised and told by the constitution that all men are created equal. Laws are in place to include all, BUT where is our heart? How do we respond to a person whom we see as different? Do we do what Jesus did with the person with leprosy and heal him? We may not be able to heal with a touch because we are not God, HOWEVER we can heal their hearts with our heart…thru reaching out, with inclusion, and with love.
These folks are left out… left out! Have we kept them out? They are feeling less than or feeling different or not as good as other people. No one should have to feel this way. How about the woman, feeling a need to raise her hand and say “METOO.” We may not even know her story, she may seem ok on the outside, and yet inside she is feeling less than, and cast herself out. Ahhh, we need to love all, we don’t know everyone’s life story. ARE SOME OF US HERE feeling CAST OUT?
Ahh… kids, imagine them feeling cast out, I think of some with disabilities, I think of thoseho have been bullied. I shared with you about me being bullied as a kid, I was called four eyes. Children should not have to learn how to deal with being cast out. This is a time for children to be free from worry, and be able to have their innocence! Imagine the courage those casted out must have. Just try to imagine how brave they are.
What did Jesus DO? He loved the unclean, the unloved. That is what real church is, a church who loves all and welcomes all!
The church is where people come to be healed by God, inside and out.
To be loved by the people of God, to live in community. This is what we are about.
The church is to be the example of hope for a world of people feeling cast out. No one is to be cast out.
There is a movie out now, called The Greatest Showman, a movie about a man called PT Barnum. He was known for Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus which became a worldwide success for 167 years. PT Barnum started out his career with shows of people that were casted out of society because of their differences. Those very very tall, those very short, those with different color skin, those with birth marks on their face, albinos and many more. Remember this was mid 1800s. This was unheard of to come out into the public amongst the “normal” and then bravely go on a stage.
I want you to watch the movie trailer. The film puts a spotlight on those marginalized and disenfranchised. The film reflects their bravery, and their courage.
They were called freaks. They said in this clip that people weren’t going to like it if they were put on stage. But they went on stage anyway, every night. Words in their song rang out, we won’t let the shame sink in. The music was reviewed as the “Anthem for Outcasts”
START TRAILER HERE.
Towards the end one says that if all were treated equally it would be a celebration of humanity.
We must do what Jesus does and strive toward celebrating humanity!
AMEN!
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Gospel Lesson: Mark 1: 40-45
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to Jesus, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”
Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, February 11th ~ Saturday, February 17th
Sunday: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27: 1. Courage is fear that has said its prayers. Depend on God in times of fear. Ask God to go into those places with you.
Monday: “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27: 13. The word of God gives us not only hope for the future but hope for today. Ask God to show you where the Lord’s goodness is in the land of the living.
Tuesday: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27: 14. Where is God moving in your life that you can wait on the Lord?
Wednesday: “A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.” Mark 1: 40. The leper seeking Jesus knew that Jesus was a great healer. What healing do you need to seek from Jesus?
Thursday: “Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” Mark 1: 41-42. Jesus is good and kind beyond measure. We need only be brave and ask for the healing that we need. Prayerfully consider in prayer your own healing.
Friday: ““After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” Mark 1: 43-44. Jesus instructed the one healed to follow the customs of temple. Testimony transforms the one who shares and the one who hears. Where are you sharing your testimony?
Saturday: “But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.” Mark 1: 45. The miracles and healings of Jesus can not be hidden. The word of God can not be kept under a bushel. The light of Christ within us shines. How is God using you to shine? How is God using others to shine God’s light to you?